Hudson teachers make plea for no more pay cuts

Tuesday

Nov 20, 2012 at 3:00 PM

By Dan CherryDaily Telegram Staff Writer

Emotions came to the surface Monday at the Hudson Area Schools Board of Education meeting as teachers and staff expressed concerns about a proposed salary schedule for 2013-14 that calls for additional cuts to their pay.

According to a chart provided by Michigan Education Association representative Mary Halley, the new step schedule that divides teachers’ educational experience from two to four tiers could see teachers faced with a pay cut averaging 4 to 6 percent, though one teacher under the new proposed schedule could see a 31 percent salary reduction.

The district recently emerged from a budget deficit and imposed a 6 percent pay reduction across the board to help the school financially recover. Negotiations are ongoing after the board of education announced an impasse earlier this year.

Halley said Monday she was of the understanding on Thursday with communication through board members no cuts would be made to salaries in 2013-14.

“Then, at our Friday night meeting, we were hit with it,” Halley said as she held a copy of the chart. “Your teachers can’t afford to take this cut. We are not the reason you’re facing financial difficulties. Our costs have gone down.”

Halley said the teachers have worked to reduce health care and retirement cost premiums. Adding caps on insurance has also helped to stabilize expenses.

Many of the teachers in the standing-room-only audience wore buttons that read “Hudson Teachers Matter,” while several spoke their concerns to the board during public comment time.

Coach and teacher Scott Marry said the potential cuts dictated by the chart would make it difficult for his family to remain financially solvent, and that he may have to look elsewhere for employment. He said the negotiations and need for concessions are making it difficult to want to teach at Hudson and that tensions are high among the staff.

Teacher Matt Carpenter said a number of teachers are considering leaving for jobs with more future stability if the cuts continue.

“Eight of the 18 teachers in my building specifically have said they are actively looking for jobs elsewhere,” he said. “They’re probably looking for jobs in other fields. These are people we can’t afford to lose.”

Superintendent Mike Osborne said after the meeting the teachers are being moved from a two-tier to a four-tier schedule based on their degree and additional credits received for continuing education. Some teachers who have not kept current with credits and who are tentatively scheduled to be moved to a new tier may see some salary reductions. He said they are also given the opportunity to pursue educational credits to switch to a higher tier.

Teacher Emily Mansfield said the cuts are not necessary if the board examines the numbers provided by the district.

“We are using your numbers,” she told the board. “We (the teachers) would like to openly invite the board to correct our errors. Just like in the classroom, we don’t just mark a paper and hand it back. We walk the students through it so they understand. Meet with us, so we can all move forward for a fair contract settlement.”

Board member Jerry Price said the financial decisions the board has had to make regarding salary reductions have not been easy, nor will any possible future reductions.

“The input, the analysis is important and valuable,” Price said. “We take this position very seriously. We care about our community, the schools, the teachers, the parents, the children. There are things that wake me up at 2 a.m. making me think about how to make things better. This is one of them.”